PLAINFIELD, Vt. – Comedian and actor Jonathan Katz will receive an honorary doctorate at Goddard College’s Sept. 6 commencement ceremony, President Robert Kenny announced.
Kenny will confer 16 graduate degrees to students earning the Master of Arts in Psychology and the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Kenny will present Katz with the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, given to individuals who have distinguished themselves in areas related to the humanities and who have a strong connection to Goddard College. A 1971 graduate of Goddard College, Katz is known for his Emmy-winning voice work on the long-running animated series Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, for which he also won a Producers Guild Award for Most Promising Producer in Television.
“Goddard meant so much to me that I am now beginning my 148th trimester,” Katz said. “Both of my daughters are educators, and in helping them find their way, I have grown to appreciate the value of a Goddard education. I’m really looking forward to this event.”
Katz, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, has also been an advocate for people with disabilities. He was awarded the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Gift of Laughter Award in 2006 and is a Goodwill Ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
“We are proud to count Jonathan Katz as a Goddard alumnus. His accomplishments in television and film, as well as his advocacy work, well represent the depth of spirit and character of Goddard College,” Kenny said.
Katz attended Goddard’s undergraduate residential program with playwright David Mamet, with whom he remains close friends. He co-wrote House of Games with Mamet and had small roles in the Mamet-directed films Things Change, Homicide, The Spanish Prisoner and State and Main. His additional credits include acting roles in the feature films The Truth About Lies (2015) and Daddy Day Care (2013), voice work on the animated series Bob’s Burgers and Explosion Bus, and production of the popular podcast Hey, We’re Back.
In the spring of 2012, Katz taught a theater class at Brandeis University in Short Form Comedy. In 2013, Katz was the chief architect of the Goddard College Storyphone, a project of Goddard’s 150th Anniversary, where he recorded and edited dozens of audio alumni stories.
About Goddard College
Initially founded in 1863 as the Goddard Seminary in Barre, Vt., Goddard College moved to its current Plainfield campus and was chartered in 1938 by founding President Royce “Tim” Pitkin. In 1963, Goddard became the first U.S. college to offer low-residency adult degree programs. Goddard now offers accredited MA, MFA, BA and BFA degree programs from the main campus in Plainfield, Vermont and sites in Seattle and Port Townsend, Washington. The low-residency education model offers the best of on-campus and distance education, with experienced faculty advisors, rigorous on-campus residencies, and the freedom to study from anywhere.
